Softball back in full swing

Southern’s Lady Jaguars softball team’s slogan for the 2006 season is “Back to Business,” and according to head coach Nancy Marshall, the preparation is business as usual.
“We are beginning with a business mentality, (so) our slogan this year is back to business,” said softball head coach Nancy Marshall. “We are more focused on going to work. We are in it to win it, because we are not just going to play.”
Last year, Southern finished the season 31-12 overall and 21-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference to advance to their second straight SWAC tournament.
Marshall sees the new additions to the team are strong and will contribute to the success of the team as well as the returning players and expects to have a good season.
“We have two freshmen pitchers that we brought in this season,” Marshall said. “Lauren Dodd from Sugarland, Texas, is one of our strong pitchers and hitters and Jennifer Hodrick from Gardena, Calif., is a tough pitcher and good hitter as well.”
Returning players such as senior pitcher Jamila Taylor are also looking to continue to do her best on the field for the success of the team. Taylor finished last season with a .333 batting average.
“We’re coming along good, we have positive attitudes and are bonding so that everything will be OK,” Taylor said. “Being that I am a senior, I guess will go out and pitch the best I can and have my defense back me up.”
Marshall said this season’s team has the skills and the players to be champions this season, if they allow themselves to stay focused. They have the drive to be superior this season and stay focused on their ultimate goal, which is the SWAC Championship.
“As long as we are Southern University, every team gets pumped up to play us,” Marshall said. “Everybody gears up to come at us, so we must get our girls mentally focused to the point where they have to get geared up for the team we are playing against, beyond our opponent’s gear, so that we can beat them.”